Visitors to the US now need a machine-readable passport

From 1 October 2003 all persons travelling to the United States without a visa will need a machine-readable passport.

The new regulation applies to nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Older, non-machine-readable passports, children's identity cards and passports in which children are included will no longer be accepted at the point of entry into the United States without an accompanying visa. From October, parents will therefore have to carry separate, machine-readable passports for their children and babies or apply for a visa.

Since 1988 travellers from certain countries, have been allowed to enter the US for a stay of less than 90 days without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program. The requirements for the necessary travel documents have now been changed as described above by the US authorities.